On an biennial basis, the Peace Corps recognizes an outstanding senior RPCV who demonstrates a commitment to the Peace Corps' third goal. This prestigious award is in memory of Miss Lillian Carter, who served in the Peace Corps as a senior in the 1960s.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who served as a senior (age 50 and older) are eligible to be nominated. The selection committee consists of a Carter family representative, three returned Peace Corps Volunteers, a former Lillian Carter Award recipient, and one Peace Corps employee. The award recipient must be present at the ceremony to receive the award.

The Peace Corps' 2007 Lillian Carter Award was presented to Shirley Maly at a ceremony at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia on May 16, 2007. Presenting the award was former President Jimmy Carter and Jason Carter, son and great grandson respectively of Lillian Carter, the senior volunteer who inspired this award.

Maly was 60 years old in 1992 when she volunteered for the Peace Corps. She set off for Uraguay where she worked with women's groups, taught English and developed a local recycling program. Since her return home, Maly has promoted Peace Corps service as a viable retirement option. She has also continued her volunteer work with various organizations in the San Juan Islands, Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, Mexico, Peru and Brazil. In June 2005, Maly published the picture storybook Love Affair With The Americas chronicaling her experieces, including her Peace Corps service, in North, Central and South America.

The current Peace Corps Director, Ron Tschetter, also attended the event. Director Tschetter is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served with Lillian Carter in the Peace Corps in India in 1968.